With performances as intellectual as they are musical,
Daniel Müller-Schott and
Angela Hewitt unite to produce a very worthwhile rendition of the
Bach Gamba Sonatas.
Hewitt, already an esteemed interpreter of
Bach who has performed or recorded the complete works for solo keyboard, branches out here in a collaborative effort. All of her skills as an interpreter of
Bach's solo works are indispensable here as the Gamba Sonatas are truly a collaboration of equals. Her touch is light and graceful without seeming timid or weak. The soloistic nature of her right hand brilliantly matches both the sound and temperament of
Müller-Schott, and her accompanimental left hand is steady and elegant. Although
Müller-Schott's release of the six unaccompanied
Bach suites is a welcome contribution to the field, he is not known as much as a
Bach interpreter as his colleague. Still, through self-proclaimed study and investigation, he presents a very satisfying blend of a Baroque sound and right-arm articulation on a modern instrument. In many ways, his playing is reminiscent of
Anner Bylsma, but with a more focused core to his sound. In addition to the three gamba sonatas of the senior
Bach, this album also includes the much more virtuosic and showy D major Sonata of
C.P.E. Bach. Coupled with the wonderful playing, listeners are also treated to an excellent set of liner notes making this album a very wise choice.